Method of uniting or welding metals.



1 UNITED strArr s PATENT onnron.

WILLIAM SPEIRS SIMPSON, OF LONDON, ENGLAND, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO UNITED STATES CARBO-WELDING COMPANY OF DELAWARE. r

METHOD OF UNI'I'ING OR WELDING METALS.

7 Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 6,1909.

Application filed April 12, 1907. Serial No. 367,840.

' To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM SPEIRS SIMP- soN, asubject of the King of Great Britain,

residing at 49 Battersea Park road, London,

understood andwithout pressure, the ob'ect of the invention being to provide :1; met od or process which will, as has been thoroughly demonstrated, fusion-weld or unite various metals, such as steel or iron and cop er effectively and in such a manner that t ere is such an interpenetration of the welded metals that they cannot be separated one from the other. 7

In carrying out. the present process I am able to-produce compound metal bodies consisting of layers or strata of unlike metals united as permanently, for example, as welded layers of iron or steel, and since this perfect union of iron and steel is usually designated as and generally understood to be a weld, andbecause this term weld is the one which by those skilled in the art is most naturally applied to such a union, I have also designated herein the union which I obtain between the unlike metals .by the term weld, although it is to be understood that I do not thereby limit or confine m self to any particular theory as to the actua nature of the union between suchunlike metals, although I apprehend that, since tests have demonstrated the impossibility of'wedging the copper from the steel, the steel itself separating rather than the copper therefrom, there is a molecular interpenetration of the metals and what may be considered a perfect or true weld between such unlike metals.

This invention has'for its object (A) the firmly uniting, joinin or welding of metals which fuse or melt at high temperature, such as iron and steel (hereinafter designated as the harder metals) to and with other metals which fuse or meltat lower temperatures, such as aluminium, copper, tin, lead, zinc, and their various alloys (hereinafter designated as the softer metals or in some cases as the welding material) and (B) by means of such method or process of the uniting, joining or welding together of metals of varying characteristics and qualities, either to cheapen or improve (or both) man arti cles of utility in the industrial arts w erein (1) it may be' desirable to protect the harder metal from corrosion or deterioration, by covering it on one or both sides, or,sif tubular, externally and internally, with softer metal, of any desirable thickness, or (2) to strengthen articles hitherto manufactured from the softer metal by the union thereto of the. harder metal on one or both sides, and externally or internally, or (3) 'by using the softer metal as a weldm material or means 7 of unlon, to connect and rmly 10in, unite, or

Weld together a pair or series of plates, sheets, bars, rods,-tubes, or other shapes composed of the harder metal, so that a strong, homogeneous, composite whole may be constructed for such uses as require a rigid, hard, or

frictionresisting face or exterior, in combination with a core or back of softer or more malleable or elastic metal, or a metal of greater toughness hr tensile strength than the exterior.

In carr in out the purpose of my invention,I bring-into contact the surfaces of the requisite pieces of harder and softer metal, which are to be united, joined or welded together; for instance, a sheet or plate of steel 1s brought into contact with a corres onding sheet or plate of aluminium, copper, rass or other metal of any required thickness, with which it is intended to cover the former (upon one or both sides) and the same are clamped together in the desired position, or in some cases two or more plates of steel having a sheet or plate of copper, aluminium, brass or other metal interposed between each two of the same, are assembled in the desired relative ositions and firmly clamped or otherwise heldtogethen-then the articlesso clamped together, are incased, covered or envele d on all sides (inside and out if hollow or to ular) with a paste composed of ground coke, charcoal or other form of carbon, as pure as reasonably possible, mixed with water and a binding material such as treacle, sugar, starch, flour, or other similar substance, preferably such as may be soluble in water and for welding,'which after being suitably dried may be used to envelop the matter while being heated, or the metals to be welded may be placed in a suitable receptacle such as a fire-resisting crucible or a metallic vessel,

with or without a cover, and the carbona-: ceous paste may be tightly packed around the same on all sides; after which the entire mass of metals, carbonaceous covering or packing and receptacle are subiected to sufficient heat, either (a) in a mufie or otherfurnace, or (b) in a bath of molten metal, such as pigiron, to fuse or melt the softer but not the harder metal. Under the said conditions and when subjectedto tern eratures sufficient to melt the softer meta the carbonaceous casin or envelop prepared as aforesaid, provides a reducing; agent or atn1:os-

"phere which effectively eoxidizes the surace of the harder metal (which requires no other also meta while molten, so thatin a brief space of time after fusing, the latter'becomes firmly oined, united, or weld'ed to'and with the arder metal at every point of contact; in some cases there being an ap reciable infiltration of a portion of the softer metal into the harder metal in contact therewith. The

preparatory pickling or cleaning) and -'carbonaceous paste prepared as aforesaid also forms an efficient mold to retain in the desired position and prevent the escapeof the softer metal whilemolten.

In some cases especially if the-softer metal being employed-is copper, it is desirable to add to the carbonaceous paste a, small quantity of zinc or zinc-filings, the presence of which is advantageousfor the prevention of blow holes in the copper surfaces while cool- In some cases two or more steel plates or like articles which are to be joined or-united by an interposed sheet of welding material, such as cop er or brass, .may.-be spaced or kept at the esired distance from each other, by inserting between the same, suitable spacin disks or rivets of steel'to revent the so ter metal or=welding materia from being squeezed out ordisplaced while'molten, by the weight or pressure of the plates to be joined, united orwelded'.

In some cases when -it is required to join, uniteor weld together two or more plates, bars, rods or other articles of iron or steel into a composite whole, the same may be assembled or arranged and suitablyls aced and. clamped or-otherwise held in thelr desired relative positions and a quantity of the 'softer metal or welding material sufficientto accomplish the desired union or welding may be placed, either in solid or granular form, on

the top, of the assembled articles of harder revents the oxidatlon of the softer metal and the entire mass may then be covered orenvelo ed in the carbonaceous paste as hereinbe ore described and subected to heat in such a manner that the softer metal when fused or melted, will flow downward and'fill the interstices of the mass ofharderm'etals underneath and so accom- --"plish the desired union or welding together of the integral parts thereof, or in some cases, articles of the harder metal such as iron or steel may be assembled and clamped together 1 in the desired relative position, and the mass covered with or enveloped in the hereinbefore described carbonaceous paste and, while being subjected to the necessary heat, the

metal. A simple method of such introduc tion is, when enveloping or covering the mass of harder metal with the carbonaceous paste,

to so place a plumbago crucible, having a cover, on the top of the mass of assembled metals that, from a small hole or orifice in the bottom of such crucible (which must be stoppered until the moment when the soft metal or welding material is to be released therefrom) the molten welding material, when poured therein, may flow into the interstices of the mass of assembled metals below, and join, unite or weld the same firmly together, or in some cases may form a coating of the softer metal upon the harder metal in a suitably prepared' mold formed by the carbonaceous paste hereinbefore described. In some cases, a paste or enveloping material may be employed that is lacking the requisite carbon, or is of a refractory character, such as graphite, in which event the metals to be welded or united may be laced in a crucible or other suitable receptacl e ing a cover which may be luted or-otherwise fastened thereon terial may be laced around suc metals therein and tie receptacle hermetically sealed, and while being subjected to heat, carbonic oxid may be introduced into the crucible. or receptacle, under pressure, by means of a tube passingthrough the cover thereof and through the enveloping material,

so that the gas may be brought into contact with the metals under the conditions required to provide a reducing or de-oxidizingatmosphere suitable for the accomplishment of the desired result. In like manner, articles of the harder metal may be enveloped or covered with a paste the chief ingredient whereof may be graphite or other material so refractory or so low in carbon as to require the additional presence of carbonic oxid introduced as above havmentioned, and the copper, brass, or other softer metal or welding material may be in- 'troduced in molten form and brought into contact with the harder metals in the manner and for the'pur poses hereinbefore described.

This invention has a wide range of utility. Among its uses may be mentioned (1) the coating of ships plates and of ropeller and turbine blades with copper 'or rass, (2) the covering of cylinders with copper for use in connection with calico and' wa paper printing, and the covering of plates and cylinders for the Stationers and engravers trade (3) the lining or coating of boiler and other tubes with copper and of steam condensers and locomotive fire-boxes (4) the construction of com osite armorplates wherein it may be desirab e to associate extremely hard steel faces with soft or malleable steel, backs or plates com osedof a series of hard and soft or malleab e steel plates in alternate layers, all firmly welded together by means of a quasi-elastic welding material, such as copper or bronze, (5) 'the construction of composite wheels, propeller shafts, locomotive and motor axles, axle boxes and other bearings, wherein it maybe desirable to'unite hard and friction-resisting exteriors with more elastic or less brittle interiors or centers, (6) the construction of heavy. guns and lighter artillery by firmly uniting together by means of a copper or bronze welding ma- Yto terial, various internal and external steel forgings, castings, wrappings, etc., of'different qualities and characteristics as to rigidity, tensile strength, elasticity, etc., to produce a composite whole, which may be capable of withstanding -great shock or strain, (7)

the manufacture of copper incased steel or iron wire and composite cables, also for uses connected with electrical apparatus such as the reinforcement with steel of the wearing faces of switches and .commutators, (8) the coating with-brass, copper 'or other metals, of.

man articles made of iron or steel, used in the iulldmg trades, to prevent corrosion or rov de ornamentation.

pervious coating, nevertheless I believe that y my process it is possible, for the first time,

- to actually and inseparably weld unlike metals.to obtain'the molecular interpenetration'of onewith' the other.

While the heat which is used may'in some cases vary in temperature and be somewhat rom the foregoing it will b. seen that I. ob'tainweld-united layers ofunlike metals, by subjecting such metals while in a heated or softer metal, it is in no case equal to a su permolten temperature of such copper or softer metal, whichsupermolten temperature is 2500 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. v

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent isz- 1. The method of welding metals fusible at different temperatures, including iron or steel and cop er, which consists in subjecting the metals to eat at least equal to the fusing tern erature of the metal that is fusible at the ower temperature and simultaneously subjecting the same to a carbonaceous ma-.' terial.

2. The method of welding metals fusible at different temperatures, including iron or steel and copper, which consists in inclosing the metals to be welded in a plastic'can bonaceous material and, then subjecting them to heat sufficient to fuse or melt the metal that is fusible at the lower tempera steel and cop er, which consists in subjecting the metals w i le suitably inclosed to a carbonaceous reducing or deoxidizing agent and simultaneously sub'ecting the metals to at least heat up to the fusing temperature of one of the metals. A

4. The method of Welding metals fusible at different temperatures, including iron or steel and cop er, whichconsists in enveloping the meta s in a plastic material formed of'a carbonaceous material, a binding material and water, and subjecting the metals to heat'at least equal'to the fusing temperature of the metal that isfusible at the lower temperature.

5. The method ofwelding metals fusible at different temperatures, including iron or steel and copper, which consists in subjecting the metals to a reducin agent effective to deoxidize the surface of the harder metal and prevent the oxidation of the softer metal, and simultaneously heating the metals u 6. The metho of welding metalsfusible at different temperatures, including iron or steel and copper, which consists in inclosing the metals to be welded in a mold formed of a carbonaceous material, water, and a binding material, then subjecting the metals to heat sufficient to produce from such mold a re- 'to the fusing tem erature of the softer meta ducing agent effective to produce the deoxidation of-the harder metal and prevent the oxidation of thesofter metal and to fuse one of the metals thereb to weld them together.

7. The method 0 welding metals, including steel or iron and cop, er, which consists in subjecting the metals w iile suitably confined to a heat lowerthan the supermolten temperatureof the softer metal and a carbonaceous material,

8. The method. of Welding metals, includ ingsteel or iron and copper, which consists in su jecting the metals to be welded to the chemical action of a carbonaceous material and simultaneously heating such metals to a temperature sufiicient to cause the steel or iron and copper to weld. v

9. The method of welding metals, including steel or iron and copper, which consists in subjecting the-metals to bewelded to the chemical action of a carbonaceous material produced by inclosing the metals therein and ieating up to a temperature at least equal to the fusing temperature of oneof said metals.

10. The method of welding hard metals,-

. including ironorsteel, and soft metals, in-

eluding copper, which consists in bringing into contact the several metals, enveloping the same on all sides with a covering of carbonaceous material, and subjecting the same .to heat suflicient to fuse or melt-the softer metal 11. The method ofwelding metals fusible at diflerent temperatures, including steel or iron and copper, which consists in, bringing into contact the metals to be welded, envel- 0 ing the same on all sides with a covering of p astlc carbonaceous material composed of ground coke or charcoal, water and a biflding material, and then subjecting the same to a degree of heat sufficient to fuse or melt the metal that is fusible at the lower temperature,

12. The method of welding metals fusible" at different temperatures, including steel or iron and copper, which consists in bringing into contact the metals" to bewelded, enyel oping the same on all sides with a covering of a plastic material composed of a carbonaceous material, water and. a binding material comprising treacle, sugar or starch, and then subjecting the same to a degree of heat sufficient to fuse or melt the metal that isfusible at the lower temperature.

13. The method of welding metals fusible at different temperatures, including steel or iron and cop er, which consists in brin ing into contact t e metals to be welded, enve op ing the same on all sides with a covering of a plastic material comprising a carbonaceous material composed of round coke or charcoal, waterand a solu le binding material comprising treacle, sugar or starch, and'then subjecting the same toa degree of heat sufiicient'to fuse or melt the metal that is fusible at the lower temperature.-

14. The method of welding the harder metals, including iron or steel, with the softer metals, including copper, aluminum, tin,

lead, zinc, and their various alloys, which the softer metal.

consists in covering the metals to bewelded 15. The method of welding the harder metals, including iron or steel, with the softer metals, including aluminum, copper, tin, lead, zinc, and their various alloys, which consists in enveloping the metals to be welded with a carbonaceous paste having incorporated therein zinc, and then sub'ecting the metals to be welded to heat sufficient to fuse 16. The method of uniting co steel or other soft and hard meta s, which consists in subjecting the metals .to heat and to a carbonaceous material whereby to ob'-.

tain an interpenetration of one with the other.

17. The method of uniting unlike metals;

including steel and copper, which consists in effecting the molecular interpenetration of one metal with the other, while one is in a molten'condition at approximately the fusing temperature of such molten metal by subjecting such metals to the action of a carbonaceous material. 1

18. The method of uniting unlike'm'tals which consists in subjecting such metals to a carbonaceous material and to heat lower than the supermolten temperature of either metal.

19.. The method of uniting unlike metals ,which consists in subjecting such metals,

While one is in a molten condition, to the action of a carbonaceous material.

20. The method of uniting unlike metals which consists in subjecting such metals,

per and while confined in contact and while one is being brought to a molten condition, to the action of a carbonaceous material.

21. The herein described processof uniting harder and softer metals vconsisting in subjecting the metals while enveloped in a mix ture of carbonaceous material and a soluble binding material, to heat to a degree equal to the melting point of the softer metal, substantially as described. I

I In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses. v

WILLIAMSPEIRS SIMPSON.

Witnesses RICHARD 7 CORE GARDNER, 

